Gapuma Explores New Opportunities in Sierra Leone
14 October 2025 On Monday, 13th October, Yanish Bhageerutty, Business Development Manager at Gapuma Group, attended the Sierra Leone Investment Forum, hosted in London by Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP. Sierra Leone is actively reshaping its economic landscape — strengthening regulatory frameworks, deepening institutional capacity, and positioning itself as an increasingly attractive destination for both domestic and international investment. These reforms are laying the foundations for sustainable, long-term growth across a spectrum of high-potential sectors. Organised by British International Investment (BII) in partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone, the Forum showcased a suite of investment-ready projects and highlighted emerging opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing, financial services, energy, infrastructure, and tourism. The event received support from ARIA, the British High Commission Freetown, Invest Africa, Invest Salone, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, and the National Investment Board of Sierra Leone. Framed under the theme “Ready for Investment, Open for Partnership,” the Forum convened senior representatives from the governments of Sierra Leone and the United Kingdom, development finance institutions, and leading private sector investors. Participants exchanged insights, explored successful case studies, and identified pathways for deeper collaboration within Sierra Leone’s evolving and increasingly dynamic investment environment.
China’s Gold Play: Behind the $4,000 Surge?
8th October 2025 Gold’s rise beyond $4,000 an ounce marks more than a historic price point — it highlights a deeper shift in the balance of global monetary power. China’s central bank has undertaken an exceptional run of gold purchases over the past year, increasing its holdings at a pace unmatched by its other foreign exchange activities. Yet gold still represents only around 6.7 per cent of China’s immense reserves. By comparison, the United States — the world’s largest holder of gold — maintains nearly 80 per cent of its reserves in bullion, with a stockpile almost four times larger than China’s. This disparity is significant. For Beijing, accelerating its gold acquisitions is not merely an exercise in diversification. It forms part of a broader strategy: to reduce its exposure to the dollar and strengthen its position in an international system long shaped by American financial dominance. With foreign exchange reserves almost three times greater than Japan’s — the world’s second-largest — and roughly eleven times greater than America’s own reserves, China has both the scale and the strategic intent to alter the global financial equilibrium. Gold’s ascent past $4,000 therefore extends beyond traditional concerns such as inflation hedging or interest rate expectations. It reflects a wider contest centred on currency power, credibility, and the architecture of global finance itself.
Starmer Bets Big on India: Mission to Double Bilateral Trade by 2030
AP-POOL photo by Kin-Cheung 7th October 2025 As Prime Minister Keir Starmer embarks on his first official visit to India (8–9 October), the scale and ambition of the delegation send a clear message: the United Kingdom now views India as a central pillar of its long-term trade strategy. The recently concluded UK–India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) represents a decisive turning point. More than a conventional trade deal, it signals a strategic shift — cutting tariffs on over 90 per cent of goods and widening market access across both goods and services. Negotiators on both sides are already focused on an even greater objective: doubling bilateral trade by 2030. To put this in context, trade in goods and services in the year to March 2025 was valued at approximately £44.1 billion. Doubling that figure would push the relationship towards, or beyond, £88 billion — a striking illustration of the shared ambition now driving both nations. The breadth of the delegation accompanying the Prime Minister underscores the significance of the mission. More than one hundred business leaders, university vice-chancellors, and figures from technology, culture, and innovation are travelling to India. This is a working visit, not a symbolic tour — designed to secure agreements, strengthen partnerships, and build the foundations for deep, long-term economic engagement. It reflects a marked shift in mindset: India is no longer treated as a secondary market but as a cornerstone of the UK’s future growth strategy. Symbolism will play its part when Starmer meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mumbai — India’s financial powerhouse and a city emblematic of the country’s dynamism and scale. Choosing Mumbai for such a meeting highlights the central role that commerce, investment, and economic cooperation will play in the evolving partnership. The timing of the visit could hardly be more pertinent. India is on track to become the world’s third-largest economy, with growth exceeding 6 per cent annually and forecast to reach as high as 8 per cent this year. Its economic momentum, demographic strength, and expanding global influence ensure it will shape the international landscape in the decades ahead. For the UK, forging a position within that story is both strategic and forward-looking. This visit is therefore about more than agreements or diplomatic ceremony. It is about signalling intent, building momentum, and recognising that the UK’s economic future will increasingly align with India’s rise on the global stage.
From Plastic Waste to Elastic Asset
2nd October 2025 New scientific breakthroughs are revealing how waste can be re-engineered into high-value resources — reshaping both supply chains and the wider sustainability landscape. Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have demonstrated how waste plastic can be transformed into something as commonplace as paracetamol, using genetically engineered microbes. At the centre of this process is E. coli: once known primarily as a gut bacterium, now reimagined as a versatile industrial platform capable of producing insulin, flavours, fuels, and a growing list of essential commodities. For us at Gapuma, this breakthrough represents far more than a laboratory milestone. It signals the direction of travel for global supply chains. If waste can be converted into feedstock, then the long-standing challenge of environmental disposal becomes an opportunity — turning waste into a resource rather than a burden. This shift has profound implications for commodity markets. It is not about replacing raw materials overnight, but about preparing for a future in which sustainability, efficiency, and resilience are fundamentally interconnected. This is ESG in action: innovation that lightens the environmental footprint while strengthening the availability of products the world depends on.
US Shutdown Begins: Gold Glitters and Sugar Holds
1st October 2025 With the U.S. government shutdown unsettling global markets, gold has surged to unprecedented levels while cryptocurrencies remain largely unaffected. As reported by DailyCoin, gold futures have broken above $3,900 per ounce for the first time in history, driven by investors seeking the safety of traditional hedges. At the same time, sugar prices are holding steady, supported by a weaker dollar and firm international demand. For Gapuma, these developments reinforce a familiar reality: in periods of uncertainty, real assets retain their appeal. Our business operates at the intersection of these macro-economic forces — from metals to soft commodities — where value is dictated not only by market sentiment but also by geopolitics, currency movements, and shifts in consumer behaviour. The message is straightforward. Confidence still gravitates towards tangible assets, and agility in supply, sourcing, and trading strategies remains the key competitive advantage.
Gapuma Strengthens Its Footprint in LATAM
30 September 2025 Gapuma continues to expand its presence across Latin America, with our Channel & Product Manager for LATAM, Sunil Bahl, completing an extended visit to Brazil from 17–26 September 2025. The centrepiece of the trip was the Abrafati Show in São Paulo (23–25 September), the region’s most prestigious gathering for the paints and coatings industry. Abrafati brings together global suppliers, regional manufacturers, and sector leaders, serving as a vital platform for innovation, networking, and business development. For Gapuma, participation in this event provided the opportunity to deepen existing relationships, explore collaborations that could introduce innovative solutions into the Brazilian market, and reinforce our engagement with global suppliers and industry stakeholders. Brazil, as one of the principal engines of growth in Latin America, remains central to our regional strategy. Sunil’s visit highlights our long-term commitment to fostering strong partnerships, encouraging knowledge exchange, and supporting sustainable growth across LATAM.
Strengthening UK–Ghana Trade Links
25th September 2025 Gapuma Group was proud to be present in Accra this week as the United Kingdom’s new High Commissioner to Ghana, Dr Christian Rogg, led a senior trade delegation organised by DMA Invest. Our Business Development Manager, Yanish Bhageerutty, attended the evening reception at the High Commissioner’s residence, while our colleague Obert V. J. Chikwature joined the UK trade mission visiting some of Ghana’s leading mining operations alongside nine other British companies. During the visit to the mines in Obuasi, Obert had the opportunity to meet Dr Rogg—prompting the High Commissioner, only six weeks into his post, to remark that it must surely be a good omen to encounter Gapuma twice in such quick succession. As we continue to strengthen the trade and investment links between the UK and Ghana, Gapuma remains committed to supporting sustainable development across West Africa’s mining sector and the wider regional economy.
Gapuma in Côte d’Ivoire
23rd September 2025 Our Business Development Manager, Yanish Bhageerutty, has recently completed another successful visit to Côte d’Ivoire – a market where Gapuma continues to strengthen its presence and contribute meaningfully to long-term growth. For more than a decade, Côte d’Ivoire has stood out as one of Sub-Saharan Africa’s most dynamic economies and a genuine regional hub. Its success reflects sustained growth, solid macroeconomic fundamentals, and an ambitious shift away from dependence on raw commodity exports towards value-added industry and services. The country’s progress has also been shaped by the resilience and ingenuity of its private sector. While challenges remain – including a large informal economy and the need for broader inclusion – Côte d’Ivoire is firmly positioned for continued transformation. Recent indicators underline this trajectory. The country has recorded some of Africa’s strongest sustained growth rates, averaging around 8% between 2012 and 2019, and maintaining momentum despite global headwinds. Diversification is accelerating across industry and services, inflation remains comparatively low at 3.8% in 2024, and fiscal stability is improving. Côte d’Ivoire also holds a recognised leadership role in trade and investment within ECOWAS, supported by strategic investments in education and skills that are building the human capital needed for the next phase of development. Territorial inequalities and climate risks continue to present challenges, but the overall outlook remains positive and forward-looking. We are proud that Gapuma is contributing to this progress. And with Yanish pictured by the restored Abidjan Lagoon, proudly wearing his Gapuma G-shirt, the symbolism is unmistakable: a revitalised Côte d’Ivoire and a company committed to reaching places where others cannot.
Gapuma Group at ICIF 2025: Innovation, Partnerships, Tradition
19th September 2025 This week, Russell Brill, Gapuma Group Limited’s Director of Purchasing, represented the company at the China International Chemical Industry Fair (ICIF) in Shanghai, accompanied by our Qingdao representative, Wei Zhao. Events such as ICIF are more than showcases for technological progress. They serve as vital platforms to strengthen the partnerships that underpin our industry. At Gapuma, we place great value on long-term relationships founded on trust, quality, and shared ambition. Meeting suppliers face-to-face reinforces that commitment and deepens the mutual understanding on which enduring collaboration depends. Reflecting on the visit, Russell said: “It was a real pleasure to be in Shanghai with Wei, catching up with valued partners and discussing future opportunities. On a personal note, I did so wearing a Savile Row Company custom-made jacket — a small detail perhaps, but one that mirrors Gapuma’s own values of craftsmanship, quality, and tradition.” Later, Russell and Wei took time to enjoy the sights of this remarkable city, proudly wearing their Gapuma G-shirts as they explored Shanghai’s iconic landmarks. We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who welcomed our representatives so warmly. The energy, innovation, and forward momentum on display at ICIF remain a powerful reminder of the dynamism within our sector. We look forward to continuing the conversations and building on the opportunities that have emerged.
Gold: More Than a Metal
16th September 2025 When most people think of gold, they imagine vaults, bullion, and financial security. But the World Gold Council’s documentary, Touched by Gold, reminds us that this remarkable metal has always meant much more. Through the life and art of Sir Elton John, the film highlights how gold has shaped culture, creativity, and even medicine. From the glitter of a gold lamé suit at Glastonbury to the unseen gold components in pacemakers and HIV-detection technology, gold emerges not only as a symbol of wealth but also as a catalyst for human progress. This story resonates strongly in Africa, where Ghana’s gold industry has expanded to become the continent’s pre-eminent producer. Gapuma is proud to contribute to this success, supplying the chemicals essential for safe and efficient gold extraction. Importantly, we prioritise sourcing the least environmentally impactful, most sustainable options, ensuring progress goes hand in hand with responsibility. At Gapuma, we know that commodities are rarely just “raw materials.” They are resources that inspire innovation, drive industries, and transform societies in ways both visible and unseen. The story of gold, like many vital resources, is ultimately a story of people, possibility, and progress. Perhaps the lesson is this: what shines on stage can also save lives in silence.
Showcasing Innovation at Propak West Africa 2025
11 September 2025 Gapuma Group was proud to be represented at Propak West Africa 2025 in Lagos by our colleagues Prakash Ramchandani and Akash Suhanda. With over 250 international exhibitors and more than 5,000 industry professionals in attendance, Propak remains the region’s premier platform for the packaging, plastics, printing, and food processing sectors. The exhibition showcased cutting-edge technologies, advanced machinery, and innovative solutions shaping the future of West Africa’s manufacturing industries. Our participation demonstrates Gapuma’s ongoing commitment to strengthening connections across Africa’s industrial landscape, exploring new opportunities for collaboration, and supporting the growth of sustainable, world-class production capabilities throughout the region.