CFO Spotlight (India): TradeFlock named “10 Best CFOs in India 2026,” spotlighting finance leaders shaping governance, investor confidence and transformation across manufacturing, consumer businesses, tech and financial services. Geopolitics & Consumer Costs (India): Oil jumped after fresh US strikes on Iran, raising fears of renewed fuel-price pressure for India’s import-heavy economy; separate reports flag further price hikes/grammage cuts likely in food and home/personal care as raw-material costs stay elevated. Gold-Backed Lending (India): Higher gold prices tied to import tariffs are expected to boost demand for gold loans, the country’s most popular collateral credit. ESG Scrutiny (India): A critique of India’s ESG reporting warns that while BRSR compliance is high, disclosure quality and real Scope 3 coverage remain weak, fueling greenwashing concerns. Quick Commerce & Premium Drinks (India): 28 BLACK energy drink expands via Blinkit, pushing premium, chilled delivery into more Indian cities. Food Trade (India): Sweet biscuit exports from India more than doubled to $412.6m in 2025-26, with Africa emerging as a key market. China Retail & Health Rules: China’s consumer market stayed steady in early 2026, while regulators tightened compliance for online prescription-drug sales; PDD’s domestic slowdown also signals tougher competition in discount e-commerce. China-Serbia Industrial Links: China’s state visit diplomacy highlights consumer-adjacent supply chains via steel and infrastructure cooperation that’s reshaping jobs and production in Serbia.