Ageas Federal Life Insurance Strengthens Presence Through Strategic Partnership With NKGSB Co-operative Bank

* The partnership with NKGSB Co-operative Bank Ltd focuses on Bancassurance to promote and sell insurance products. 

* The collaboration is expected to enhance AFLI’s distribution reach, contributing to the expansion of the business 

Ageas Federal Life Insurance, one of India’s most reputed private life insurance companies announced its partnership with NKGSB Co-operative Bank Ltd, a premier multi state co-operative bank. This partnership marks a significant expansion of Ageas Federal Life Insurance's distribution network, aiming to make life insurance products more accessible to a broader audience. 

Ranked among India’s top 10 best co-operative Banks, NKGSB Co-operative Bank Ltd today has 104 branches spread over the state of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. By joining forces with NKGSB Co-operative Bank, Ageas Federal Life Insurance enhances its reach and distribution capabilities. This collaboration is poised to bring the benefits of life insurance closer to customers and foster financial security across communities. 

Speaking on the partnership Mr. Vighnesh Shahane, MD and CEO at Ageas Federal Life Insurance said, “We are thrilled to partner with NKGSB Co-operative Bank in our mission to make life insurance more widely available. This collaboration aligns with our commitment to providing comprehensive financial protection and further strengthens our position in the market. NKGSB Co-operative Bank, known for its strong customer base and extensive network, adds a valuable dimension to Ageas Federal Life Insurance's distribution strategy. The collaboration aims to leverage the collective strengths of both entities, creating a win-win situation for customers seeking reliable life insurance solutions.” 

Mrs. Himangi Nadkarni, Chairperson at NKGSB Co-operative Bank Ltd said, “We are excited about the possibilities that this partnership brings to our customers. Teaming up with Ageas Federal Life Insurance allows us to offer a broader range of financial products and services, reinforcing our commitment to meeting the diverse needs of our valued customers." 

This collaboration highlights Ageas Federal Life Insurance's commitment to innovation, customer contentment, and extending its presence in the insurance sector. Meanwhile, Ageas Federal Life Insurance declared a net profit of INR 114 crore in FY 2022-23, a growth of 21% from the previous financial year. This is the 11th consecutive year of profit for the private Life Insurer. The company’s total premium rose by 5% to INR 2,160 crore in FY 2022-23 from INR 2,052 crore in FY2021-22. The company also has its ambitious plan of growing its topline by 40% CAGR over the next 5 years.  

EKA Mobility Joins Forces With Mitsui And VDL Group To Create A Leading Global OEM In India

* EKA, Mitsui & VDL Groep have entered a strategic long-term partnership, that will include joint investments, equity & technology cooperation 

* With a joint investment of over USD 100 million (~ INR 850 crores) in phases, the  cooperation will position India as the global manufacturing & sourcing hub for electric vehicles  

EKA Mobility, a leading electric vehicles & technology company based in India, is thrilled to announce a partnership with Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (Japan) and VDL Groep (Netherlands). This strategic cooperation marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the Indian automotive industry, propelling India toward becoming a global hub for sustainable transportation. The alliance is set to establish most cutting edge global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the region.  

This is one of the largest and most significant partnerships in the new mobility segment in India bringing together the strengths and expertise of three leading automotive conglomerates in Asia & Europe to accelerate the development and adoption of innovative electric mobility solutions globally. Under the cooperation, EKA Mobility, known for its cutting-edge electric vehicles and comprehensive EV ecosystem, will receive significant and strategic investments from Mitsui, a global trading and investment company with a rich history of contributing to industrial innovation, and technological support & equity partnership from VDL Groep, a leading Dutch technology and manufacturing company. The combined expertise and resources of the three entities will usher in a new era of sustainable transportation and manufacturing excellence. 

Key Highlights of the cooperation: 

Strategic Investment: Mitsui & Co., Ltd. will make significant financial investments in EKA Mobility, enabling the company to scale up its manufacturing operations and expand its product portfolio. Mitsui will also provide support to EKA for exports to select emerging markets as well as establishment of systems & process.  

Technological Leadership: As part of this partnership, VDL Bus & Coach, a subsidiary of VDL Groep and Europe’s frontrunner in electric buses & coaches will support EKA Mobility by transfer of technology to produce electric buses in India for the Indian market. 

Strengthening 'Make in India': The alliance is firmly aligned with the Indian government's 'Make in India' initiative, aimed at promoting local manufacturing and job creation. 

Sustainability: The cooperation emphasizes a commitment to sustainability and environment conscious mobility solutions, furthering the reduction of carbon footprints. 

Dr. Sudhir Mehta, Founder & Chairman of EKA Mobility, expressed his views about the cooperation, stating, "This partnership with Mitsui and VDL Groep represents a significant step toward making India a global hub for electric vehicle manufacturing. We are proud to join forces with such distinguished partners who share our vision of sustainable, profitable & efficient transportation." 

Nobuyoshi Umezawa, GM of Mobility Business Division in Mitsui & Co. India: "Through the cooperation of EKA, VDL, and Mitsui, we aim to contribute to "Make in India" by leveraging EKA's excellent engineering and local network, and VDL's cutting-edge technological capabilities. Furthermore, we would like to utilize our Mitsui's global network to promote exporting EKA's competitive products to overseas markets and contribute to creating eco-friendly societies". 

Rolf-Jan Zweep, CEO VDL Bus & Coach: "We are delighted to partner with EKA Mobility and Mitsui. Although the basis of our high-quality development and manufacturing competences lie in north-western Europe, we see many opportunities in India, which is obviously a promising growth market. With this cooperation, we foresee especially many synergy benefits in the areas of procurement and development".   

EKA Mobility is one of the commercial vehicle manufacturers approved under the Champion OEM Scheme & EV component manufacturing scheme of the Government of India’s Auto PLI policy. EKA is the only Indian company offering end-to-end design, manufacturing & technology of new energy vehicles from scratch in India. The company has set up a state-of-the-art research, development, engineering & innovation center in Pune, Maharashtra, and has significantly grown its order book, with more than 500 electric buses and 5000+ electric light commercial vehicle orders in the pipeline. All these vehicles will be completely designed & manufactured in India, at EKA’s proposed state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. In last two years, the company has introduced electric city bus, staff carrier & school bus, 9 meter hydrogen fuel-cell electric bus, and is now all set to enter the last mile delivery with its range of e-LCVs designed & customized to suit Indian customers and businesses.  

Bank of Baroda Empowers Students With The Launch Of The “bob BRO Savings Account”

-  bob BRO is a zero balance account providing a customised bundle of offers to students to kickstart their financial journey 

- Concessional Interest Rate on Baroda Education Loan 

- BOB teams up with IIT Bombay’s Mood Indigo, Asia’s largest college festival, as the Exclusive Banking Partner, to promote bob BRO 

Bank of Baroda (Bank), one of India’s leading public sector banks, has launched the bob BRO Savings Account - a Zero Balance Savings Account especially designed for students aged 16 to 25 years. The bob BRO Savings account provides students access to a banking programme that is customised to meet their specific needs and is easy & straightforward to operate, with no minimum balance requirement, a lifetime complimentary debit card and a number of other benefits.   

The bob Bro Savings Account comes with a bundle of offers for students including no minimum balance, up to 15 basis points interest rate concession on Education Loans, complete waiver of processing fee on education loans and a lifetime free RuPay Platinum Debit Card with exclusive offers on top brands in categories such as Electronics, Consumer Durables, Travel, Food, Fashion, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Grocery and Health. 

To tap the youth, the Bank has tied up with Mood Indigo (Moodi), IIT Bombay’s annual student fest and Asia's largest college cultural festival, as the exclusive banking partner. In its 53rd edition this year, Mood Indigo takes place from December 18th to 21st, 2023 playing host to college students from across the country.  

Bank of Baroda has also collaborated with Spotify, for all the students attending Mood Indigo. Those who open a bob BRO savings account during the festival, will have the opportunity to win a hamper of Spotify merchandise. In addition, based on the artists performing at the festival, a new playlist, ‘Bank of Baroda x Mood Indigo’, will also be available to stream on Spotify. 

Shri Ravindra Singh Negi, Chief General Manager - Retail Liabilities & NRI Business, Bank of Baroda said, “Today’s youth are looking for a richer, more personalised and rewarding experience with their bank, backed by safety and service. The bob BRO Savings Account introduces young adults to the world of banking with a tailor-made product offering that takes care of their specific banking requirements and gives them access to features & benefits that they value the most. bob BRO makes banking simple, enabling them to start their journey towards savings and financial independence with ease.”  

Shri V G Senthilkumar, Head - Marketing & Branding, Bank of Baroda said, “In a rapidly changing landscape, Bank of Baroda continues to evolve and transform to stay relevant and meaningful to a new generation of customers. We take a long-term approach to build lasting relationships that transcend generations. Our association with Mood Indigo is in line with this philosophy.” 

Bank of Baroda has also built an immersive Metaverse environment that will be showcased at Mood Indigo, where students can experience various digital payment options through virtual/ augmented reality.  

Salient features of the bob BRO Savings Bank Account: 

Zero balance savings account for the age group 16 years to 25 years 

Lifetime Free RuPay Platinum Debit Card with attractive offers on leading brands 

Complimentary Domestic Airport Lounge access (2 per quarter) 

Free Personal Accident Insurance Cover up to Rs 2 lakh 

Auto Sweep Facility available  

Free NEFT/RTGS/IMPS/UPI through digital channels and branch 

Unlimited free cheque leaves  

Free SMS/Email Alerts 

Up to 100% Concession in Demat AMC  

Concessional Interest Rates on Education Loans with zero processing fee* 

Exclusive Credit Card offers, subject to eligibility 

T&C apply 

For details on the bob BRO Savings Account and to open an account, click on bob BRO Savings Account or visit the nearest Bank of Baroda branch.  

Torque Pharma Introduces Its Newest Nutraceutical Under The Brand “Multipower”

* The product is priced at INR 110 for 10 Soft Gelatin Capsules, which is available at retail stores and online at Torqueonline.co.in 

Torque Pharma, a leading entity in the pharmaceutical industry, has introduced its “Multipower Soft Gelatin Capsules”, a Nutraceutical Endowment designed to promote health and wellbeing. This innovative product combines the advantages of Multivitamin with Calcium, Zinc, Iron, Minerals, and Ginseng. It helps to enhance immunity and energy, catering to daily nutritional requirements. 

The Multipower Soft Gelatin Capsules contains Ginseng extract, vital vitamins like vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, E, B3 & minerals like Calcium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese & Zinc that addresses nutritional deficiencies. These capsules not only help in increasing energy levels and enhancing stamina, but also helps in bolstering immunity, promoting a healthy and active lifestyle. It further helps in improving concentration and stress management. 

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Abhay Iqbal Singh Bedi, Director of Torque Pharma said, “We are elated to launch our latest offering, Nutraceutical under the brand ‘Multipower.’ This product signifies our dedication to improving the overall quality of life, transcending the boundaries of mere illness treatment. In addition to delivering essential nutrients like Zinc and Vitamin C, it also contributes to sharpening focus in the day-to-day activities of consumers within today's fast-paced lifestyle. We are eagerly waiting for feedback from our valued customers." 

To cater to a wider audience, Multipower Softgel Capsules are reasonably priced at INR 110, providing 10 Capsules in 1 Strip. They are accessible at nearby retail outlets and the online store - Torqueonline.co.in. 

Buy here:  https://torqueonline.co.in/product/torque-multipower-softgel-capsules/ 

About Torque Pharma:  

Founded as a generic pharmaceutical organization, Torque Pharma strides ahead with the legacy of over four decades as the torchbearers of positive change driven by unwavering ethical standards and practices. Right from our inception, we have been committed to rewriting the definition of excellence within the healthcare ecosystem. Our mission, "Better Together," is a testament to our dedication towards continuous evolution alongside the people who collectively shape our society, as we believe that “togetherness” makes the world a better place. Torque Pharma has expanded its scope into the FMCG and Ayurvedic sectors, aligning with its unwavering commitment to providing high-quality, accessible healthcare for all. Not only does Torque Pharma have a significant national presence pan India, but also internationally as its products are available in select countries. Our portfolio consists of an extensive range of products that elevate the quality of living. Join us in our journey to drive innovation, leave a lasting positive impact, and help us shape a healthier world made better together. 

Coca-Cola Extends Partnership With The International Cricket Council (ICC) For Next Eight Years

* Amplifying Global Cricket Experiences, Coca-Cola establishes itself as a long-standing partner of the ICC

The International Cricket Council (ICC) and Coca-Cola are thrilled to announce an eight-year global partnership encompassing ICC World events across all three formats, up until the end of 2031.

The official signing ceremony which took place at ICC’s Headquarters marked a historic milestone for the partnership and demonstrated Coca-Cola's commitment to sports. This eight-year partnership as a Global Partner of the ICC, confirmed the collaboration as one of the longest-ever associations formed by the ICC with a single brand, spanning a total timeline of 13 years (2019 - 2031). 

The relationship will see The Coca-Cola Company’s brands becoming exclusive non-alcoholic beverage partners. The agreement includes all men’s and women’s events at the pinnacle of the sport including the ICC Cricket World Cups, ICC T20 World Cups, and ICC Champions Trophies through to the end of 2031. During the course of the partnership, there will be both a major international men’s and women’s event every year as well as a World Test Championship Final every two years.

ICC Chief Commercial Officer, Anurag Dahiya said: “I am thrilled to welcome back The Coca-Cola Company as an ICC Global Partner as we enter a landmark eight-year partnership, which unites one of the world’s leading brands with the second largest sport in the world. This long-term collaboration ushers in a new commercial era, filled with exciting prospects for the sport. With the Men’s T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies, and the Women’s edition in Bangladesh just around the corner, we’re poised for unprecedented global growth and engagement. This partnership not only celebrates our sport’s expansion but also promises innovative opportunities to enhance our fans’ experience worldwide.”

Bradford Ross, VP Global Sports and Entertainment Marketing & Partnerships at The Coca-Cola Company, stated, “In alignment with our rich history of global sports partnerships, the collaboration with ICC reinforces our commitment to refreshing sports fans and elevating their entertainment experiences. Sports holds immense power to unite people, and this partnership provides us with a unique opportunity to blend our brand affinity with the fervor for the world’s cricketing game. We endeavor to continue to delight consumers with our diverse portfolio and create unique experiences for fans.” 

During the recent ICC Men's Cricket World Cup India 2023, Thums Up and Limca Sportz were the exclusive beverage and sports drink partners, activating a host of online and offline fan engagement activations. Additionally, Sprite took center stage with its captivating 'Thand rakh' campaign, aimed at elevating and sustaining the enthusiasm of cricket fans throughout the biggest World Cup ever.

Coca-Cola has been globally committed to supporting local sporting events and organizations around the world. The Coca-Cola Company has an eight-decade-long association with the Olympics. Moreover, for over four decades, it has been associated with the FIFA, T20 World Cup, and using the power of sports to bring people together and transform lives. The recent association of ThumsUp with the Olympics and Paralympics in India is a testimony to the Company’s belief in sports and its enduring journey towards making a refreshing difference.   

About The Coca-Cola Company

Coca-Cola in India is one of the country’s leading beverage companies, offering a range of high-quality and refreshing beverage options to consumers. The company, in line with its vision of ‘Beverages For Life’, offers a wide portfolio of products which includes hydration, sports, sparkling, coffee, tea, nutrition, juice and dairy based products. In India its beverage range includes Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, Thums Up, Charged by Thums Up, Fanta, Limca, Sprite, Maaza, Minute Maid range of juices and juice beverages. The Company also offers hydration beverages including Limca Sportz, Smartwater, Kinley, Dasani and Bonaqua packaged drinking water and Kinley Club Soda. Premium products constitute Schweppes range and Smartwater. In addition, it offers Costa Coffee and organic green tea based beverage- Honest Tea amongst its range of coffee and Tea. The Company is constantly transforming its portfolio, from reducing sugar in its drinks to bringing innovative new products to market.

The company along with its owned bottling operations and franchise bottling partners has a strong network of close to 4 million retail outlets through which it refreshes millions of consumers across the country. It seeks to positively impact people’s lives, communities and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable agriculture initiatives and carbon emission reductions across its value chain.

Globally together with its bottling partners, The Coca-Cola Company employs more than 700,000 people, helping to bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at www.cocacolacompany.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

ART Housing Finance Partners With SignDesk For Housing Loan Kit Digitization”

* ART Housing Finance empowers underserved segments with eSign-backed housing loans 

ART Housing Finance Ltd (ART Housing Finance), a leading Housing Finance Company (HFC) providing long-term housing loans to middle and lower-income groups, has announced a strategic partnership with SignDesk, a global provider of document automation solutions. This collaboration aims to revolutionize housing finance for underserved segments by digitizing loan kits and simplifying the application process through integrated eSignatures and eStamping.

Bridging the credit gap in non-urban India

Credit penetration in non-urban areas remains a critical challenge in India, with informal credit dominating the lending landscape. This lack of formal credit access leaves rural and underserved communities vulnerable to economic cycles and exploitative lending practices. However, the surging demand for housing presents a golden opportunity to bridge this gap and empower these segments.

ART Housing Finance stands committed to providing flexible home loan solutions to middle and low-income groups in peri-urban and rural India. Leveraging digital innovation and a robust on-ground presence, the company builds sustainable credit pipelines, fostering affordable housing dreams.

Technology as the game-changer

Traditionally, lenders serving non-urban areas grapple with high operational costs and delays due to complex underwriting needs and challenges in establishing customer connections. Technology adoption is now emerging as a powerful equalizer, enabling housing finance companies to overcome these hurdles.

By partnering with SignDesk, ART Housing Finance has achieved complete loan kit digitization. Aadhaar-registered borrowers can now seamlessly eSign loan agreements online, with advanced encryption and traceability ensuring utmost security. Biometric signatures further streamline the process for non-Aadhaar users.

The company also utilizes eStamping to comply with state regulations, scale operations, and boost efficiency. This not only eliminates forgery risks and guarantees document authenticity but also facilitates remote workflows, a critical advantage in the post-pandemic era.

The combined impact of these digital solutions has been remarkable. ART Housing Finance has witnessed a 20% reduction in operating costs and a 1.5x improvement in loan disbursement efficiency. This translates to faster loan approvals and a more positive experience for borrowers.

Dominic Vijay Kumar, Senior VP & CTO, ART Housing Finance (India) Ltd:

“Integrating e-sign and e-stamp technology into our loan workflows has been transformative. We've empowered our customers with a convenient and speedy loan sanction process. They can now eSign documents and procure e-stamp papers digitally, anytime, anywhere. This customer-centric approach is at the heart of everything we do.”

Krupesh Bhat, Founder, SignDesk:

“Making housing finance accessible to vulnerable populations like rural residents is crucial for inclusive economic growth. Banks and NBFCs in these areas face unique challenges and need digitization to remain competitive and offer exceptional service. E-sign and e-stamp solutions directly address these concerns, mitigating structural risks and building trust. By digitizing loan kits, financial institutions can empower borrowers and foster a more robust financial ecosystem.”

The road ahead: Technology paves the way for financial inclusion

Housing finance plays a pivotal role in integrating traditionally underserved and unserved populations into the formal economy. De-risking rural credit, ensuring operational efficiency, and prioritizing data security remain key challenges. Technology will continue to be the driving force in overcoming these hurdles and paving the way for a more inclusive financial landscape.

As India's Fintech sector flourishes, banks and NBFCs must embrace document automation solutions like eSignatures, eStamping, and digital KYC verification. This will not only expedite loan processes and reduce costs for lenders but, more importantly, build trust and empower borrowers across the nation. Leveraging cutting-edge compliance technology is not just a trend but an imperative for driving India's formal economy forward.

Ref Links - https://signdesk.com/case-studies/art-housing-finance

   -  https://signdesk.com/esign-workflow

Inauguration Of Research-Based Incubation Facility For Geographical Indications (GIs) At MAHE, Manipal -Udupi

Vision Karnataka Foundation (VKF) and Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) inaugurated the commencement of a research-based incubation programme for Geographical Indications (GIs) tagged products on 27th December 2023 at Manipal. The incubation program is working on building, developing, and growing livelihood clusters around Udupi region with GI focussed communities belonging to the Udupi Mattu Gulla and Shankarpura (Udupi) Mallige clusters.

Speaking to the media, Mr. Kishor Jagirdar, President of Vision Karnataka Foundation (VKF) said that it is a proud moment for VKF to be associated with Department of Commerce, MAHE to launch this initiative of Research-based incubation facility. This is a first of its kind in the country that is focussing on incubation for GI tagged communities engaged in market linkage activities. The incubation facility is also supporting other activities like product design, branding, packing and packaging, legal aspects, standardization, leveraging value adds, exploring digital market place and other strategies etc. This effort is exclusively directed towards addressing the grassroot level community-based barriers of these GI clusters. Initially it will cover two GI based areas and then gradually reach out to 48 select GIs in Karnataka over next two years. Additionally, this partnership is working on identifying potential GI tagged opportunities at the local, regional and national level.

Under this incubation arrangement, VKF will be providing support for this initiative by handholding the GI farmers, Self Help Groups and other stakeholders for improving the product quality, enhancing the marketability, providing better market linkages for the GI tagged products. Keen on taking this initiative to next level, VKF is planning to set up Common Facility Centers (CFC) under the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Cluster Development Programme (CDP) scheme to provide much needed value addition to these GI tagged products. This unique initiative will bring in incremental income generation possibilities for growers along with developing entrepreneurs in the process.

The Sustainable Development Goals Coordination Centre (SDGCC) is also signatory to this with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Govt of Karnataka. VKF is the Technical Agency for Ministry of MSME, Government of India and also State Government. VKF is driving several livelihood clusters in India under ‘Scheme of Fund for the Regeneration of Traditional Industries’ (SFURTI) scheme.

Vivesvaraya Trade Promotion Centre (VTCP), the nodal agency for the promotion of international trade and Geographical Indications tagged products from the State of Karnataka was represented on this occasion by Smt. Prabhavathi Rao, Facilitator - Intellectual Property Initiatives, on behalf of Director (Exports) & Managing Director -Shri B.K Shivakumar. She informed that as the pioneer in the country in launching the first of its kind exclusive Geographical Indications Policy, VTPC under the aegis of the Department of Industries & Commerce, Govt of Karnataka, has been working to facilitate and promote artisans of traditional and legacy products that the state is famed for. Among various initiatives, she mentioned that with the registration of artisans/producers/farmers for the respective GI tagged products as Authorised Users, being provided thrust, in accordance with GI Act of 1999, VTPC would take steps to register the farmers of Udupi Mattu Gulla Brinjal and Udupi Jasmine as Authorised Users of the GI crops.

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence (IOE), deemed to be University is proud to engage in this initiative as a ‘enabling agency’. In its pursuit of educating the public on vital topics of social interest, MAHE has raised the bar for social responsibility. To accomplish social development, MAHE is actively involved in putting up a number of partnership-focused strategies for the good of the society. Hence, working for the local farming community who grow unique GI tagged products is a matter of high priority for MAHE. The incubation facility that is envisaged through this partnership will initially target to promote the improvement of two clusters of Udupi Mattu Gulla Brinjal and Udupi Jasmine and will gradually cover the other GIs grown in Karnataka through the incubation program.

Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M. D. Venkatesh, Vice Chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, 'This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the journey of sustainable development and community empowerment. At MAHE, we are deeply committed to fostering innovation and education that benefits society at large. By supporting this incubation program for GI-tagged products like Udupi Mattu Gulla and Shankarpura Udupi Mallige, we are not just nurturing local talent and traditional practices but also contributing to the economic and social upliftment of the region. Our students and faculty are eager to engage in this unique learning experience, which aligns perfectly with our ethos of blending academic excellence with societal service’.

Dr. Giridhar Kini, Registrar, MAHE who was present during the function stated that MAHE gives high priority to projects which has the element of local development. Such initiatives provide field-based learning opportunities to the students and faculties of MAHE with an added incentive of social development.

Speaking on this occasion, Dr. Sandeep Shenoy, Head, Department of Commerce, MAHE said that this is a significant step in addressing the growth of GI livelihood clusters. Dr. Sandeep said that the Department will assist the GI clusters in the marketing of the products and help in setting market linkages and play an enablers role in improving the livelihood of these clusters.