Economic Development Projects

𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗚𝗘. 𝗧𝗪𝗢 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗦. 𝐴 𝑐𝑎𝑟. 𝐴 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛. 𝑂𝑛𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑡ℎ. 🌁 Bridges aren't just structures — they are lifelines where civil meets systems thinking. 🚗 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞: Road traffic, dynamic and variable 🚆 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐰 (𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞): Rail traffic, heavy and rhythmic When timing or design fails, the results can be catastrophic. 𝙀𝙣𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙈𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙨: 🛡️ 𝑰𝒎𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒕 𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆: Can it absorb sudden shocks? ⚖️ 𝑳𝒐𝒂𝒅 𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒃𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: Trains = concentrated point loads | Cars = dynamic moving loads 🧠 𝑭𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: Smart design, risk analysis & safety margins matter 𝙆𝙚𝙮 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙧𝙨 (𝙂𝙡𝙤𝙗𝙖𝙡 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨 & 𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙯𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙙-𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙡 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙜𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙛𝙧𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚): AECOM – Integrated infrastructure specialists Arup – Known for complex transport infrastructure projects Larsen & Toubro – Major Indian firm involved in mega-bridges Bechtel Corporation – Multinational construction and engineering CHINA COMMUNICATION CONSTRUCTION COMPANY (M) SDN BHD (CCCC) – Major global player in bridges Gammon India Ltd – Worked on multiple Indian road-cum-rail bridges Indian Railways (IR) & National Highways Authority of India – For integrated bridge projects Network Rail Rail (UK) – Rail bridge design & safety in the UK Federal Highway Administration – Regulates road bridge design Deutsche Bahn Bahn (Germany) – Rail infrastructure innovation Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) – Known for road-rail project integration WSP Jacobs SYSTRA STUP Consultants P. Ltd Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (India), Delft University of Technology (Netherlands), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA) – Research in structural health and safety of bridges 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐭. 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐦. 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐫 — 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬. Respect to the unsung heroes who build safe, multi-modal infrastructures every day. For more interesting facts about Transportation systems, Please follow Priobrata Biswas MEng ✅️ #BridgeEngineering #StructuralIntegrity #CivilEngineering #TransportSystems #TransportInfrastructure #RailAndRoad #SmartDesign #InfrastructureMatters #SafetyByDesign #LoadDistribution #EngineeringForSafety #SmartMobility #TrainInfrastructure #MultimodalMobility #RiskAnalysis #TransportInnovation #SmartStructures #BridgeDesign #BridgeSafety #SustainableEngineering #StructuralHealthMonitoring #CivilTech #DynamicLoadEngineering #RoadAndRail #MultiModalTransport #InfrastructureDesign #EngineeringSolutions #PublicSafetyEngineering #LoadBearingStructures #DisasterResilientStructures #RailwayInfrastructure #HighwayEngineering #EngineeringExcellence #InfrastructureResilience #TransportInnovation

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is rolling out Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) across Africa. These zones aim to transform rural areas into agro-industrial hubs by integrating #farming, processing, storage, and #distribution within designated regions. The goal is to reduce post-harvest losses, boost local economies, and create jobs. In #Nigeria, the AfDB has initiated SAPZs in 28 states, with the first phase covering eight states and an investment of $538 million. The second phase seeks an additional $2.2 billion in funding. This initiative is a response to Nigeria's $4.7 billion food #import bill in 2024, aiming to enhance food security and reduce reliance on imports. SAPZs are not limited to Nigeria. Similar projects are underway in countries like Côte d'Ivoire, #Ethiopia, #Senegal, and #Tanzania. For instance, Ethiopia's Baeker Integrated Agro-Industrial Park has an investment of $181 million. These zones focus on #commodities with high export potential or those that can substitute imports, such as rice, maize, soybeans, and palm oil. The big idea is to turn Africa’s rural economies into special growth engines. Instead of just growing raw crops and #exporting them, SAPZs want to add value locally—through processing, packaging, and logistics. That means more local jobs, stronger supply chains, and less food waste. According to the AfDB, agro-industrialization can create millions of new jobs and help lift rural populations out of poverty. The model is inspired in part by #Asia and #LatinAmerica, where similar agro-industrial zones have helped countries like #Brazil and #Vietnam become major #exporters of processed food products. In #Africa, where up to 30–50% of perishable produce is lost post-harvest (according to the FAO), building processing facilities close to where food is grown could change the game completely. The zones also bring in infrastructure—roads, power, water, and cold storage—that benefit not just agribusinesses but entire communities. This kind of ecosystem approach is rare but promising, especially in places where poor logistics and high energy costs have long discouraged food processing. Still, there are big questions around who gets to benefit. Critics worry that land will be diverted from local communities to serve export-oriented #agribusinesses. And if small farmers aren’t given a fair role in these value chains, the risk is that SAPZs will deepen inequality rather than solve it. The AfDB maintains that SAPZs are designed to be inclusive, promoting private sector investment while supporting smallholder farmers. The success of these zones will depend on balancing industrial growth with the needs and rights of local communities. As Africa continues to develop its #agricultural sector, the question remains: Can these agro-industrial zones deliver sustainable growth without compromising the interests of smallholder farmers? 🔄️ Repost to your network to educate others.

Sharing my piece from today's cover page of the Chicago Tribune Opinion section about a vision for the future of urban revitalization based on my experience from public service in Chicago. I address the widely-discussed decline of traditional downtowns post-pandemic as well as neighborhood disinvestment and provide three streets in Chicago that offer hopeful case studies for the future of cities: - South Cottage Grove Ave: The Discover customer care center employing 1,000+ in an abandoned big box retail store that is now generating significant economic activity in the neighborhood. The power of Corporate America bringing jobs to a disinvested neighborhood is a lesson I hope others will learn from and that can be repeated widely across Chicago and other cities to decrease the unemployment rates of disinvested neighborhoods. - LaSalle Street: One of the largest office-to-residential conversion projects in the country is taking place which will convert 1.6 million square feet of unused office space into a mix of apartments, restaurants, shops and workspace...over 1,000 new residential units of which 300 will be affordable. - State Street: Leaning into the experience economy, Sundays on State (along with festivals such as Suenos, Lolla, NASCAR) show the power of transforming public spaces into new amenities for residents and visitors alike. As I mention in the article: "What excites me is this: Each project made real progress, strengthening the forces that attract and retain people in urban areas. These initiatives created jobs, added housing and fostered connections when they were needed most. They were made possible through collaboration among city leaders, communities and private companies, which focused on welcoming more people to share in Chicago’s prosperity and potential. I’m excited that the spirit behind these projects echoes globally. You will find inspiration and opportunity on every block, in every neighborhood, in every city. It’s powered by the same energy that, throughout history, has spurred us to build ports and rail yards that helped us trade goods, roadways that connected our neighborhoods and skyscrapers that raised our sights and sense of possibility. Today, that energy continues to remake our cities in an image of today’s world — more dynamic, more interconnected, more inclusive. So ignore the clickbait. The story of cities today isn’t one of demise. It’s about rebirth." https://lnkd.in/gXyiixSk

Yesterday, the UK Government released its Modern Industrial Strategy and Digital and Technologies Sector Plan. The strategy is ambitious, including a £4 billion capital injection via the British Business Bank to unlock £12 billion in private investment; £670 million for development and adoption of quantum computers, and £54 million for a new Global Talent Taskforce. But beyond the numbers, what matters is this: the government is designing industrial policy with scaling tech companies in mind. At Tech Nation and Founders Forum, we’ve been listening to our community of tech founders across the UK and actively relaying their feedback to No 10, DSIT, and HM Treasury over the last few months, calling for practical changes to unlock growth for UK tech scaleups. It’s clear from this plan that the government have been listening attentively to our founder feedback, and are prioritising tech innovation as a key gateway to growth for our country. What stands out: – Growth capital: Deepening the pool of scaleup capital available to UK founders with increased firepower from the British Business Bank, and a long-overdue move to unlock pension capital now underway. – Talent: Doubling down on how we attract the world’s top talent to choose the UK as home base; the TechFirst programme and AI scholarships show a serious commitment to building the UK’s tech workforce, from school leavers to PhDs to global fellows. – Infrastructure: From regional AI Growth Zones to faster data centre connections, this is the first strategy that sees physical and digital infrastructure as core to scaling startups and focuses on unblocking grid connections so founders from all across the country can scale brilliant ideas. – Regulation and procurement: With the Regulatory Innovation Office, AI sandboxes, and Defence-led R&D pathways, there’s now more room for founders to take the right risks. – Regional innovation: Significant cluster funding with guaranteed local allocations, so that we can turbocharge game-changing tech companies from all corners of the UK. The direction of travel is clear: The UK is committed to cementing its place as a global innovation hub and technology leader, but it takes all of us – founders, investors, enterprise corporations, Big Tech, policymakers, and startup operators – to put this plan into action and deliver its results. This plan is just the beginning, but we’re looking forward to working with the government and our broader Tech Nation community to make it a reality. #IndustrialStrategy #Digital #Tech #UK #ScaleUps #TechPolicy #FoundersForum #TechNation #FoundersPulse #Startups #Founders #Entrepreneurs #ItTakesaTechNation

New Working Paper: Optimizing Economic Complexity For more than a decade scholars have been using relatedness-complexity diagrams to identify industrial diversification opportunities. But these diagrams suffer from some important limitations. Relatedness-complexity diagrams compare how easy it is for an economy to enter an activity (such as a product or industry) with an activity's potential value (how complex or sophisticated that activity is). Ideally, economies want to focus on activities that are related (easies to enter) and also valuable (higher complexity) But that's not always an option. Developing economies are often "close" to low complexity activities and "far" from valuable activities. So the heuristic that everyone has been using (I am guilty of this too) is to trade-off these variables by focusing on an "efficient frontier" of products that are relatively close and valuable. But while this visual heuristic makes sense it suffers from three key limitations. First, relatedness is an incomplete measure of economic potential. Estimating en economy’s probability of "entering" an activity requires a model with many variables. Using relatedness as "the" measure of potential confuses a model's component with the full model. Second. Relatedness-complexity diagrams ignore how these variables change over time. These changes can be substantial. Between 1962 and 2016 cars fell from being the 17th product in terms of complexity to the 208th . This drop was not because cars became less sophisticated, but because many middle- and lower-income economies began exporting them (e.g. Thailand, Morocco, Turkey, South Africa). Ignoring this changes can lead to overestimating the potential contribution of an industry to the economy (what is hot today may be "passé" tomorrow). Third. We know from theoretical work that optimal diversification strategies require targeting related and unrelated diversification opportunities. Relatedness-complexity diagrams do not provide that balance. There is in fact an open question of how to determine that portfolio. In our new working paper, we develop an optimization method that addresses these limitations by defining an industrial diversification strategy that minimizes the effort required for an economy to achieve a target level of economic complexity. Interestingly, the strategy defined by this algorithm is quite different from the one defined by relatedness-complexity diagrams. First, the algorithm leverages an economy's current specialization pattern better. Second, it solves the portfolio problem by providing suggestions that balance related and unrelated diversification opportunities. Relatedness-complexity diagrams have become a core tool for the consulting industry focused on smart specialization. Our results show that there are more careful & principled ways to define diversification opportunities. More details in the paper: https://lnkd.in/d6vVSdXa

₹77,080 Crores allocated by the Government of India for startups and manufacturing in 2025. Yet most founders are still chasing VC money. I work with startups daily, and it surprises me how many don't even know these schemes exist. Here's what's available right now The Big Picture: → Deep Tech & Startup Fund: ₹30,000 Cr → MSME Budget Outlay: ₹23,168 Cr → Startup India Fund of Funds: ₹10,000 Cr → PLI Electronics & IT: ₹9,000 Cr → PLI Auto Components: ₹2,819 Cr → PLI Textiles: ₹1,148 Cr → Startup India Seed Fund: ₹945 Cr This is just the major allocations - there's more buried in smaller schemes. Let me break down what you can actually access based on your stage [1] For Early Stage Startups: 👉🏼 Startup India Seed Fund: Up to ₹50L per startup 👉🏼 SAMRIDH Scheme: Up to ₹40L grants 👉🏼 Atal Innovation Mission: Up to ₹15L for prototypes Most founders think these are too small. But remember, this is non-dilutive capital that can get you to revenue stage. [2] For Revenue Stage Companies: 👉🏼 CGTMSE: Up to ₹2 Cr collateral-free loans 👉🏼 Stand-Up India: ₹10L to ₹1 Cr for SC/ST/Women entrepreneurs 👉🏼 Multiplier Grants: Up to ₹10 Cr for R&D projects This is where it gets interesting. Revenue-stage companies have the best shot at accessing larger amounts. [3] For Manufacturing: 👉🏼 PLI schemes across 14+ sectors 👉🏼 Significant incentives for domestic production 👉🏼 Focus on electronics, auto, textiles If you're in manufacturing, you're literally sitting on a goldmine of incentives. The challenge? Most founders don't know how to navigate the application process. Here's where to start: - Startup India Portal [https://lnkd.in/gBdAH52D] - myScheme Portal [myscheme.gov.in] - SIDBI Portal [sidbi.in] - AIM Portal [aim.gov.in] - MeitY Startup Hub [msh.meity.gov.in] What you actually need: ✓ DPIIT registration for startups ✓ Proper documentation ✓ Clear business plan ✓ Compliance records ✓ Incubator partnerships (for some schemes) I've seen founders spend months preparing pitch decks for VCs, but won't spend a week getting their documentation ready for government schemes. The reality is Government funding is often cheaper, comes with less dilution, and has better terms than VC money. But it requires patience and proper documentation. #startupfunding #manufacturing #debtfunding

Kyrgyzstan is planning to build over 50 new hydroelectric plants by 2030. It’s potentially transformational for the region. What does it mean? * Energy independence: Less reliance on imports, more self-sufficiency. * Regional impact: A chance to become a net exporter of clean electricity in Central Asia. * Opportunities for business: From consulting and construction to financing — room for private sector and IFI involvement. Projects are planned across all regions—Batken, Chuy, Issyk-Kul, Jalal-Abad, Osh, Talas — with a mix of small and medium-scale HPPs. Some will be up and running as early as 2026. This is the kind of long-term, strategic planning that could reshape how the region generates and shares energy. It’s good news for sustainability, economic growth, and regional cooperation. Definitely one to watch for those working in energy transition, infrastructure, or regional development in Central Asia and beyond

Microfinance is at an inflection point. In just 15 minutes, Vijay Mahajan – widely regarded as the father of microfinance in India – lays out a bold new path forward: - A shift from rigid EMI-based loans to cash-flow-linked, flexible finance and micro-equity. - A new class of financial products designed to truly serve micro-enterprises - and scale sustainably. Watch this video if you are in microfinance, MSME lending, fintech, financial institution, policy, government, or impact investment. This isn’t just a conversation - it’s a strategic blueprint for the sector’s next chapter. Key insights from the video: - ₹6 trillion disbursed to 6.5 crore borrowers—but the surge in NPAs is now a loud signal that one rigid loan product can no longer meet the evolving needs of the sector - Fixed EMI loans are choking the growing micro-businesses - Entrepreneurs need patient capital—especially in startup, growth, and shock recovery phases - A new product: repayment as a fixed % of cash flows—automatically pausing in lean months - Digital rails (UPI, GST, etc.) now make cash flow tracking feasible - A 3-year pilot yielded a consistent 12% net IRR—proof this can scale - A call to action: RBI, MFIs, NBFCs & Banks must pilot this model The 15-page policy paper that expands this vision is linked in the first comment. If you care about reimagining microfinance and unlocking MSME growth, start here. Watch now. Let’s rebuild better. #flexiblefinance #microequity #patientcapital #MSME #microfinance #financialinclusion #vijaymahajan #policyinnovation #impactinvesting #digitouch #gamechanger #innovation

Return on Sustainability Investment 🌎 Businesses increasingly recognize the importance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives. However, quantifying the financial impact of these sustainability efforts remains a challenge. The Center for Sustainable Business at NYU Stern has introduced the Return on Sustainability Investment (ROSI) methodology to address this issue, providing a clear linkage between sustainability strategies and financial performance. ROSI is designed to integrate sustainability into the core business strategy, enhancing decision-making and accounting processes. It helps companies measure the full spectrum of costs and benefits associated with their sustainability efforts, including intangible assets, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of their impact on financial performance. For corporate management, the adoption of ROSI leads to enhanced business performance across social, environmental, and financial dimensions. It encourages embedding sustainability into everyday business operations and strategic planning, leading to improved operational efficiencies and competitive advantage. Investors benefit from the ROSI methodology by gaining a deeper understanding of ESG data and its implications for financial valuation. It aids in identifying where relative value exists in corporate strategies and investments, enhancing the integration of sustainability considerations into investment decisions. The framework not only supports better stakeholder engagement and media relations but also drives revenue growth and profitability through informed, sustainable practices. Companies that implement ROSI are positioned to achieve higher corporate valuations and contribute positively to societal impact. #sustainability #sustainable #business #esg #climatechange #climateaction #investment

🚀 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩𝐬 🚀 Starting up is tough. But you are not alone. The Indian government has many schemes to help you grow fast and stay strong. 1. 𝐃𝐏𝐈𝐈𝐓 & Startup India • Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) – Up to ₹20 L for proof of concept. Up to ₹50 L to scale. • Fund of Funds (@FFS) – ₹10,000 Cr corpus for VC funds. • Tax Holiday – 100% income-tax exemption for 3 years. • Angel Tax Exemption – No tax on fair‑value investments. • Fast‑track Exit – Close down in 90 days under IBC. 2. Department of Science, Technology and Innovation DST (Science & Tech) • Nidhi Prayas – ₹10 L for early prototypes. • nidhi eir dst goi – ₹20–30 K/month stipend for aspiring founders. • Seed Support – ₹25 L via incubators. • TBI & Accelerator – Soft loans or equity for growth. 3. MeitY Startup Hub (Electronics & IT) • TIDE 2.0 – Grants ₹4–7 L (ideation) and ₹7 L (PoC). • Samridhi Skilling Centre – ₹40 L matching fund plus mentor support. • GENESIS – Up to ₹1 Cr for deep‑tech in Tier II/III cities. 4. @𝐌𝐒𝐌𝐄 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 • Incubation – ₹15 L per idea; ₹1 Cr to incubators. • Aspire NZ Seed Fund (Aspire) & PMEGP – Seed funds and subsidy‑linked loans up to ₹25 L. • CGTMSE-India – Collateral‑free loans up to ₹2 Cr (75–85% guarantee). 5. DBT – Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) (Biotech) • BIG – ₹50 L grant for biotech PoC. • SBIRI & BIPP – ≥₹1 Cr grants/loans for SME R&D. • 74 Bio‑incubators – Labs, mentors, equipment. 6. NITI Aayog (AIM & WEP) • Atal Incubation Centre- BIMTECH Centres – Grants + infrastructure. • Atal New India Challenges – Funds for public‑sector solutions. • Women Entrepreneurship Platform – Networking + funding for women. 7. 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢 & 𝐑𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 • RKVY-RAFTAAR Agribusiness Incubator, IIT (BHU)‑RAFTAAR – ₹25 L for agri‑startups. • Agri‑Clinics – Training + finance. • Pmfme Scheme & SAMPADA – ₹10 L grants for food processing. 8. 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 & 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡 • iDEX – Up to ₹1.5 Cr for defence innovations. • TDF – Up to ₹10 Cr for indigenisation. 9. 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 & 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 • Swadesh Darshan & PRASHAD – Boost homestays, guides, apps. • Tourism Hackathons – Pitch ideas on heritage tech. 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 "𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐏𝐃𝐅" 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐚 𝐏𝐃𝐅 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 👉 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐬: 1. Get DPIIT recognition. 2. Pick schemes that fit your stage. 3. Connect with incubators. 4. Apply early. - 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝟏𝟕 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 - https://lnkd.in/dnAZwnqC Join my #WhatsApp Channel for live updates: https://lnkd.in/dzf-Gu2M Follow Utkarsh Mishra | Tag a @founder | #Grants2025 Tag a founder friend who must know this. Let’s build in India, for India! 🇮🇳 #StartupIndia #GovtSchemes #Entrepreneurs #Innovation #MakeInIndia