Kotak Mahindra International has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Indian firm to receive a license from the United Arab Emirates' Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA). This license allows the company to operate investment funds and offer portfolio management services in the UAE, marking a notable expansion of Indian financial services in the Gulf region.

UAE Expansion and New Investment Opportunities

The newly acquired license paves the way for Kotak Mahindra International to launch UAE-domiciled funds tailored for retail investors. These funds will primarily focus on India-centric investment strategies, providing UAE investors with an opportunity to diversify their portfolios with exposure to the Indian market.

The company plans to open fund subscriptions by the final quarter of 2025, aligning their offerings with successful UCITS (Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities) and India-domiciled strategies. This move is expected to strengthen the financial ties between India and the UAE, while offering new investment avenues for UAE-based investors interested in the Indian market.

Kotak Mahindra Bank's Robust Quarterly Performance

Alongside this international expansion, Kotak Mahindra Bank, the parent company, has reported strong quarterly results:

The bank's performance demonstrates solid growth in both its lending and deposit-taking activities, indicating a healthy expansion of its core banking operations.

Stock Performance

Reflecting the positive news, Kotak Mahindra Bank's shares traded at ₹2,021.30, marking a 2.14% increase. The stock has shown strong performance year-to-date, with gains of 13.00%.

This combination of international expansion and robust domestic performance positions Kotak Mahindra Bank for potential growth in both the Indian and Middle Eastern markets. The UAE license, in particular, opens up new opportunities for the bank to tap into the growing demand for India-focused investment products in the Gulf region.

Mahindra & Mahindra Limited , India's leading SUV manufacturer, has taken a bold step into the future of automotive design and technology with the unveiling of its groundbreaking NU_IQ platform. The company showcased four world-class SUV design concepts - Vision.S, Vision.T, Vision.SXT, and Vision.X - all based on this innovative modular, multi-energy platform.

A New Era of SUV Design

The NU_IQ platform represents Mahindra & Mahindra's strategic vision for addressing untapped market segments in both India and global markets. It offers a range of impressive features that set it apart in the competitive SUV landscape:

• Command seating with superior driving dynamics
• Spacious cabins with class-leading boot space
• Flat-floor architecture for ICE SUVs
• Lightweight design coupled with top-tier safety standards
• Advanced 'Sci-Fi Tech' with intuitive NU_UX interface

Global Collaboration in Design

These concept vehicles are the result of a collaborative effort between Mahindra & Mahindra's design studios in Mumbai, India, and Banbury, UK. They represent the next evolution of the company's HEARTCORE design philosophy, centered around the theme 'Opposites Attract'.

R Velusamy, President - Automotive Business (Designate) at Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., emphasized the strategic importance of the NU_IQ platform, stating, "NU_IQ is a strategic blueprint for the future of Mahindra SUVs globally. With its modular, multi-energy architecture, it gives us the flexibility to innovate across multiple top hats and powertrains whilst staying true to our SUV DNA."

Versatility and Adaptability

The NU_IQ platform boasts impressive versatility, supporting:

• Multiple configurations including different top hats
• Various powertrains
• FWD/AWD capabilities
• LHD/RHD markets

This adaptability positions Mahindra & Mahindra to compete effectively in diverse global markets, including the challenging Left-Hand Drive regions.

Production Timeline and Market Strategy

Mahindra & Mahindra plans to begin production of vehicles based on the NU_IQ platform starting in 2027. This ambitious timeline underscores the company's commitment to bringing these innovative concepts to market swiftly.

Nalinikanth Gollagunta, Chief Executive Officer - Automotive Division at Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., highlighted the disruptive potential of the NU_IQ platform, saying, "NU_IQ blends innovation, global design and advanced technology to disrupt the white spaces in the automotive industry in India and internationally across Right-and-Left-Hand-Drive markets."

Expansion into Hospitality Sector

In addition to its automotive innovations, the Mahindra Group is also exploring opportunities to expand its presence in the travel and tourism sector. CEO Anish Shah has indicated that the company's target of 10,000 rooms by 2030 for its hospitality arm, Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Ltd, may be conservative given the growth in domestic tourism post-pandemic.

The company aims to become the number one leisure hospitality player in India and is considering various expansion models beyond its traditional Club Mahindra business. Mahindra Holidays plans to add approximately 1,000 rooms in the current fiscal year, building on its existing base of 5,794 keys as of June 30.

Conclusion

With the unveiling of the NU_IQ platform and its four concept SUVs, along with ambitious plans for hospitality expansion, Mahindra & Mahindra has set a bold course for its future in both the global automotive market and the hospitality sector. By combining innovative design, advanced technology, and a focus on addressing market gaps across multiple industries, the company aims to strengthen its position as a leader in diverse sectors.

As Mahindra & Mahindra moves towards production of its new SUVs in 2027 and expands its hospitality offerings, both the automotive and tourism industries will be watching closely to see how these bold initiatives reshape their respective landscapes in India and internationally.