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Hyderabad, May 6: Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel announces the elevation of Sourav Pal Chowdhury to Director of Food & Beverage. This follows a successful tenure as Assistant Director, where he played a key role in strengthening the hotel’s food and beverage operations.

A seasoned hospitality professional with nearly 18 years of experience, Sourav has worked with leading global brands including Conrad, Hilton, and Hyatt. At Sheraton Hyderabad, he is known for his detail-oriented approach and people-first leadership style, contributing to enhanced guest experiences and strong team engagement.

In his new role, Sourav will oversee the strategic and operational direction of the hotel’s F&B division, including its signature dining venues such as Feast and Zega, along with banqueting, in-room dining, and Marriott Bonvoy on Wheels. His focus will be on driving consistency in service standards, strengthening guest experiences, and supporting sustainable business growth.

Commenting on his elevation, Sourav Pal Chowdhury said:

“I am grateful for the trust placed in me by the leadership team. I strongly believe that consistency in quality and service remains key, even in a dynamic market. I look forward to contributing further to the hotel’s growth and delivering meaningful dining experiences for our guests.”

This elevation reflects Sheraton Hyderabad’s continued commitment to nurturing internal talent and reinforcing its position as a leading hospitality destination in the region.

New Delhi, May 6 (BNP): The cement industry is expected to face a subdued demand environment in the near term, with rising cost pressures likely to impact profitability over the next one to two quarters, according to a recent industry report.

The report indicates that slower construction activity and uneven infrastructure spending could weigh on overall cement consumption. At the same time, elevated input costs, including fuel and logistics, are expected to further strain margins for producers.

Economic Impact:

• Infrastructure slowdown risk: Weak cement demand may signal slower momentum in construction and infrastructure projects.
• Margin pressure on companies: Higher costs could reduce profitability for cement manufacturers.
• Investment sentiment impact: Short-term uncertainty may affect investor confidence in the sector.
• Broader growth linkage: Since cement is a key indicator of industrial activity, softness in demand may reflect temporary moderation in economic expansion.

Despite these challenges, analysts suggest that long-term demand remains supported by government infrastructure initiatives, housing development, and urbanization trends.

Overall, the sector is likely to experience short-term headwinds, while maintaining a stable long-term growth outlook driven by structural demand factors.

New Delhi, May 6 (BNP): India’s automobile industry is expected to maintain a positive growth outlook for FY27, even amid ongoing global economic uncertainties, according to a recent industry report.

The report highlights that strong domestic demand, improving supply chains, and continued policy support are likely to drive the sector’s performance in the coming years. Despite external pressures such as geopolitical tensions and fluctuating global markets, the industry is projected to remain resilient.

Analysts note that the sector’s long-term growth will be supported by rising consumer demand, increasing adoption of electric vehicles, and steady infrastructure development across the country.

Overall, the outlook suggests that India’s automobile sector is well-positioned to navigate global headwinds while sustaining its growth momentum into FY27.

New Delhi/Wellington, May 6 (BNP): A new “single desk” investment facilitation initiative between India and New Zealand is projected to unlock nearly $20 billion in investments over the coming years, according to New Zealand Investment Minister Todd McClay.

The initiative aims to streamline investment procedures through a unified platform, making cross-border business operations simpler, faster, and more transparent. Officials say this mechanism is expected to strengthen economic cooperation and support ongoing discussions toward a potential Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries.

By improving ease of doing business, the framework is likely to attract greater private investment, enhance trade flows, and open new opportunities in sectors such as agriculture, technology, renewable energy, and education.

Authorities from both sides believe the move will deepen bilateral economic engagement and act as a catalyst for future trade and investment agreements.

Mumbai, May 6 (BNP): Indian stock markets opened on a strong note on Wednesday, supported by positive global sentiment and a decline in crude oil prices. Improved investor confidence followed signals of progress in geopolitical discussions involving Donald Trump and Iran, easing concerns over global tensions.

The benchmark BSE Sensex advanced by over 650 points in early trade, reaching 77,675.01. Similarly, the NSE Nifty 50 gained more than 200 points to 24,250.85, moving past the 24,000 mark.

The upward movement was further supported by firm global market trends, contributing to broad-based buying across sectors. Analysts note that easing crude prices and improving international outlook continue to influence domestic equities.

Further market developments are being closely monitored by investors.

Kochi, May 06: Muthoot Finance Ltd., India’s largest gold loan NBFC, marks a significant milestone as it completes 15 years since its listing on the Indian stock exchanges. The occasion reflects the company’s remarkable journey from its origins in Kerala as a family-owned business to becoming a globally recognised financial services institution and a trusted Indian household name.

Since its listing in 2011, Muthoot Finance has demonstrated consistent growth, operational resilience, and strong financial performance. The company’s market capitalization has grown from approximately ₹60 billion in 2011 to recently crossing ₹1.5 trillion, representing an increase of over 25 times. This extraordinary achievement is a direct result of public confidence, as reflected by the company’s recognition as India’s No. 1 most trusted financial services brand for 10 consecutive years as per the TRA Brand Trust Report. Over the past five years alone, the company’s stock price has more than doubled, underscoring continued investor confidence and sustained growth momentum.

During this period, Muthoot Finance has significantly expanded its operational scale. The company has played a critical role in unlocking the value of idle household gold and channelising it into productive economic use, serving over 2.5 lakh customers every single day across India. At a consolidated level, the Group’s branch network has expanded to 7,500+ branches, with nearly 70% located in semi-urban and rural areas, reinforcing its commitment to financial inclusion. This deep reach is backed by strong consolidated financial milestones, with consolidated loan Assets Under Management reaching an all-time high of ₹1.6 Lakhs crore as on December 31, 2025. Gold loan operations are secured by a state-of-the-art 7-layer safety and security infrastructure, which has resulted in zero successful burglary attempts in the past six years.

Commenting on the milestone, George Jacob Muthoot, Chairman, Muthoot Finance Ltd., said, “Our journey has been guided by the core values of trust, integrity, and customer-centricity. This milestone is not just about numbers, but about the impact we have created, enabling access to credit, empowering households, and upholding the highest standards of trust and governance. As we move forward, we will continue to build on this strong foundation with a sustained focus on customer service, innovation, and integrity.”

George Alexander Muthoot, Managing Director, Muthoot Finance Ltd., added, “Crossing a ₹1.5 trillion market cap is more than a financial achievement; it is a measurable validation of the trust Indian households and investors have placed in us for over 15 years. We pioneered the organized gold loan industry, and our deep understanding of the financial needs of households remains our anchor. We are committed to build on this legacy by accelerating growth and creating long-term value for all our stakeholders.”

Muthoot Finance‘s institutional strength is reinforced by its pedigree. The company has over three lakh shareholders and has been consistently paying dividends every year since 2012. We are classified as an Upper Layer NBFC by RBI, a constituent of the NIFTY Next 50 index of NSE, and proudly the first listed company from Kerala to cross the ₹1 lakh crore market cap. Furthermore, the company has been certified as a “Great Place to Work” for five consecutive years.

Building on this strong foundation, the Muthoot Group is evolving into a diversified financial services conglomerate, expanding its presence across multiple lending and financial service segments. This strategic diversification reflects the Group’s vision to create a comprehensive financial ecosystem that caters to the evolving needs of customers while ensuring long-term, sustainable growth. This commitment to sustainability includes extensive initiatives in CSR and ISR with over ₹500 crore spent since 2014, impacting over 5 million lives across India. Muthoot Finance’s growth has been anchored in its customer-centric approach, and ability to adapt to evolving market dynamics, enabling it to remain resilient across economic cycles. As the company enters its next phase of growth, it will continue to focus on expanding access to credit, leveraging technology, and reinforcing its leadership in the gold loan segment.

Collie, Western Australia, May 06: Holista Colltech Limited has announced the execution of a binding Joint Venture (JV) Agreement with Swang Chai Chuan Limited (SCC) to fund, develop, and operate an ovine nano-collagen production facility in Collie, Western Australia.

The JV will operate through Ovicoll Pty Ltd, with an initial ownership structure of 50:50 between Holista and SCC. As part of the agreement, SCC will contribute funding to support commissioning and initial working capital requirements of the facility.

Under the commercial terms, Holista will make payments equivalent to 3% per annum on SCC’s initial funding contribution for a period of two years. The company also retains the option to increase its stake in the JV to 75% between the second and fifth anniversaries of SCC’s investment, based on a pre-agreed valuation framework.

In connection with the agreement, Dr. Rajen Manicka, a substantial shareholder of Holista, has provided a personal guarantee to SCC covering certain financial obligations of the JV. The guarantee is secured against his personal shareholding and does not constitute a liability for the company.

Operations and Governance

Holista will oversee day-to-day operations of the JV, while governance will be managed through a board comprising equal representation from both partners.

Intellectual Property and Commercial Structure

Holista will retain ownership of all existing and newly developed intellectual property, granting the JV a license to utilize the technology. The JV will pay Holista a royalty on gross sales, subject to a cap linked to profitability.

Strategic Significance

The partnership marks a key milestone in the commercialization of Holista’s collagen technology and aligns with its strategy to scale production capabilities and expand into global markets.

The Collie facility is expected to produce high-value nano-collagen for applications across nutraceuticals, food, cosmetics, and biomedical sectors. SCC will support market development efforts by leveraging its regional distribution network and consumer market expertise.

There are no material conditions precedent to the agreement, and further updates on project milestones and commissioning timelines are expected in due course.

This announcement has been approved by the Board of Holista Colltech Limited.