MUMBAI, India, March 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Standard Chartered Bank and Dun & Bradstreet, a global leader in business decisioning data and analytics, today released the first-ever edition of Women Entrepreneurship Optimism Index (WEOI). The composite Women Entrepreneurship Optimism Index for Q4 2024 stood at 68.93 (up by 97 basis points from 67.90 in Q3 2024), indicating that women entrepreneurs had anticipated improved prospects in the last quarter of 2024.

The WEOI has been launched as part of the SC WIN – the Women’s International Network programme of Standard Chartered Bank that supports women-led businesses with funding, cash management, dedicated managers, and a community for supporting them in their growth journey.

This first-of-its-kind index is based on a survey of more than 200 women entrepreneurs across a wide range of industries and cities, and presents effective insights into the outlook, opportunities and challenges faced by women entrepreneurs. It focusses on five key dimensions that shape women entrepreneurs’ confidence: business performance, access to finance, skill development, digital adoption, and support of government policies along with personal and professional networks.

Some of the key findings of the survey are:

Thriving business confidence among women entrepreneurs can be attributed to the projected increase in domestic orders, which in turn reflects buoyant demand for their products and services in domestic markets.Women entrepreneurs in Tier 1 cities were more optimistic than those in Tier 2 cities, especially regarding digital adoption and confidence in their skills.Entrepreneurs in health services and those engaged in production of basic and intermediate goods exhibited lower optimism, and those in consumer goods sector seemed to be most optimistic about Q4 2024.In Q4 2024, 64% of the women business owners surveyed expressed interest to digitise their business operations – including Financial Management – to modernise processes and improve efficiency.With the goal of expanding customer base, they also displayed strong preference towards investing in tech tools, with 70% women entrepreneurs planning to invest more on digital tools and processes for customer acquisition in Q4 2024.For growing their business, women business leaders placed topmost importance on leadership and management skills, along with an entrepreneurial mindset.There is also a growing demand for government-backed skill development programs and support initiatives, with 2 in every 5 conveying optimism about the value of these resources.71% women entrepreneurs did not expect to find access to finance easy.

Launching the WEOI Q4 2024 report, Aditya Mandloi, Managing Director, Head, Wealth and Retail Banking, India and South Asia, Standard Chartered Bank, said, “Women entrepreneurs are a powerful force in India’s business landscape, yet systemic barriers continue to hinder their progress. SC WIN reflects Standard Chartered’s commitment to breaking these barriers by equipping women with the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. The Women Entrepreneurship Optimism Index further reinforces this commitment, providing data-driven insights to shape policies and initiatives that drive meaningful change.”

Avinash Gupta, Managing Director & CEO – India, Dun & Bradstreet, said, “The Women Entrepreneurship Optimism Index is an essential resource for policymakers, financial institutions, and other key players to create strategies that help women entrepreneurs thrive as it pinpoints factors that either boost or hinder growth. The Index is expected to serve as a barometer to gauge the tone and direction in which our women entrepreneurs perceive their business would grow.”

To download the report for free, log on to the SC-WIN website: https://www.sc.com/in/business/sc-win/You can also download it from the Dun & Bradstreet India website: https://www.dnb.co.in/perspective/reports-and-insights

About Standard Chartered:

Standard Chartered Bank has been operating in India with a continuous presence of over 165 years making it one of the oldest foreign banks in the country. The Bank has a network of 100 branches across 42 cities. Key business segments include Corporate and Investment Banking and Wealth and Retail Banking. For more information, visit https://www.sc.com/in/

Globally, we are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 52 of the world’s most dynamic markets. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good.

Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong stock exchanges.

For more stories and expert opinions, please visit Insights at sc.com. Follow Standard Chartered on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

About Dun & Bradstreet: 

Dun & Bradstreet, a leading global provider of business decisioning data and analytics, enables companies around the world to improve their business performance. Dun & Bradstreet’s Data Cloud fuels solutions and delivers insights that empower customers to accelerate revenue, lower cost, mitigate risk and transform their businesses. Since 1841, companies of every size have relied on Dun & Bradstreet to help them manage risk and reveal opportunity. For more information on Dun & Bradstreet, please visit www.dnb.com. 

Dun & Bradstreet Information Services India Private Limited is headquartered in Mumbai and provides clients with data-driven products and technology-driven platforms to help them take faster and more accurate decisions across finance, risk, compliance, information technology and marketing. Working towards Government of India’s vision of creating an Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) by supporting the Make in India initiative, Dun & Bradstreet India has a special focus on helping entrepreneurs enhance their visibility, increase their credibility, expand access to global markets, and identify potential customers & suppliers, while managing risk and opportunity. 

Visit www.dnb.co.in for more information. Click here for all Dun & Bradstreet India press releases. 

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LUND, Sweden, March 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Alfa Laval today announces that it has signed a binding put-option agreement to acquire the Fives Cryogenics business unit, part of Fives Group, for a total fixed purchase price of EUR 800 million on a cash and debt-free basis. Fives Cryogenics is a world-leading expert in cryogenic heat transfer and pump technologies, headquartered in France. The proposed acquisition remains subject to consultation with the relevant works councils, after which the parties expect to enter into a definitive purchase agreement. This proposed acquisition would provide Alfa Laval with a strong portfolio of heat transfer and pump products for gas liquefaction.

Cryogenic technologies are crucial both for traditional gases like LNG and for emerging gas applications like hydrogen and carbon capture. Fives Cryogenics has more than 60 years of experience designing and manufacturing cryogenic heat exchangers and pumps for gas liquefaction. The company holds a strong position in the world market with manufacturing facilities in France, China and Switzerland. Fives Cryogenics employs more than 700 people and in 2024 had revenue of approximately EUR 200 million. Looking forward, the company is expected to generate revenue of EUR 200-250 million and be neutral to positive to the Alfa Laval group margin.

“By adding cryogenic technologies to the Alfa Laval portfolio, we would expand our capabilities to move energy efficiency and the energy transition forward,” says Tom Erixon, President and CEO, Alfa Laval. “We believe that Fives Cryogenics would be an excellent addition to Alfa Laval, and we see strong potential in the business and key synergies between Fives Cryogenics’ deep technological expertise in cryogenics and Alfa Laval’s strong position in the global gas market. We plan to continue to invest in capabilities and growth in the next few years, especially in the key production facility in Golbey, France.” 

“In the next growth phase, building on the investments realized and committed by the Fives Group, Fives Cryogenics would be well served by belonging to an industrial group with deep knowledge of the technology and a global presence in the future growth areas. With Alfa Laval, Fives Cryogenics would have a strong owner who I know would develop the company and the team further,” says Frédéric Sanchez, CEO of the Fives Group.

From an organizational perspective, the cryogenic business would be part of Alfa Laval’s Energy Division and operate as a new separate business unit.

Closing of the transaction is subject to the necessary regulatory approvals and is expected during 2025. The all-cash transaction will be funded by existing liquidity and debt financing. Jefferies acts as financial advisor to Alfa Laval, while White & Case acts as legal advisor.

This is information that Alfa Laval AB (publ.) is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out below, at CET 07:30 on 21 March 2025.

Contacts
Johan Lundin
Head of Investor Relations, Alfa Laval
Mobile: +46 730 46 30 90
johan.lundin@alfalaval.com

Sara Helweg-Larsen
Head of Communications, Alfa Laval
Mobile: +46 730 35 80 98
sara.helweglarsen@alfalaval.com

This is Alfa Laval

The ability to make the most of what we have is more important than ever. Together with our customers, we’re innovating the industries that society depends on and creating lasting positive impact. Alfa Laval is a leading global provider of first-rate products in the areas of heat transfer, separation and fluid handling. We’re set on helping billions of people to get the energy, food, and clean water they need. And, at the same time, we’re decarbonizing the marine fleet that is the backbone of global trade.

We pioneer technologies and solutions that enable our customers to unlock the true potential of resources. As our customers’ businesses grow stronger, the goal of a truly sustainable world edges closer. The company is committed to optimizing processes, creating responsible growth, and driving progress to support customers in achieving their business goals and sustainability targets. Together, we’re pioneering positive impact.

Alfa Laval was founded 140 years ago, has customers in 100 countries, employs more than 22,300 people, and annual sales were SEK 66.9 billion (5.8 BEUR) in 2024. The company is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. 
www.alfalaval.com

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SOURCE Alfa Laval

MUMBAI, India, March 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Business Sweden’s new office in Mumbai was officially inaugurated on March 18 by Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ms. Maria Malmer Stenergard, and Business Sweden’s CEO, Mr. Jan Larsson.

Business Sweden, the Swedish Trade and Invest Council, is expanding its operations in India by establishing a new office in Mumbai. This strategic move aligns with the Swedish government’s increased focus on trade relations with Asia, and marks Business Sweden’s continued commitment to fostering trade and investment between Sweden and India.

With India projected to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2030, Swedish companies are increasingly drawn to the market.

“India consistently ranks among the top three global markets in terms of business climate for major Swedish companies. This underscores the significance of the world’s most populous market for Swedish enterprises. By opening our third office in the country, we are reinforcing our already strong presence in India. This sends a powerful message to both the Indian and Swedish business communities about the vast and growing potential in trade between our nations,” said Jan Larsson, CEO, Business Sweden.

Today, nearly 300 Swedish companies operate in India, employing 200,000 people directly and 2.2 million, indirectly. Of these, over 100 are located in the Western States of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa. Meanwhile, 70 Indian companies have invested in Sweden to date, generating 7,000 direct jobs.

“Right from the 1960s, major Swedish businesses like SKF, Sandvik, Tetra Pak, Alfa Laval and Atlas Copco established on the outskirts of Pune, Swedish interest in the region has only grown and fortified. Today, it is a new age when tech companies like Spotify, Storytel, Lektus, GoMo & Spolto are thriving in Maharashtra and Gujarat with serious expansion plans,” Swedish Consul General in Mumbai, Sven Östberg highlighted.

Sofia Högman, Trade Commissioner and Country Director for Business Sweden in India, emphasised the increasing interest in the Indian market: “The demand for support in India is immense, and we are now even better positioned to help Swedish companies seize business opportunities across key sectors, including healthcare, infrastructure, the green transition, and manufacturing. At the same time, we can assist more Indian companies in investing in Sweden and creating jobs.”

Business Sweden already operates offices in Delhi and Bengaluru. The addition of the Mumbai office strengthens Business Sweden’s proximity to India’s financial capital and the industrial hub of Pune, Sweden’s long-standing business stronghold in the country.

About Business Sweden

Business Sweden helps Swedish companies realise their export ambitions and assists international companies in investing and growing in Sweden. With a presence in over 40 markets worldwide, we identify business opportunities that drive expansion, create jobs, and foster sustainable growth.

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